Information for teachers in Dorset

Facts & statistics

This page gives some statistics on homophobic bullying in British schools. They are taken from the recent research Stonewall’s Education For All department have carried out.CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Almost Two thirds (65 per cent) of young Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people experience Homophobic Bullying in Britain's schools.

Ninety Seven per cent of gay pupils hear derogatory phrases such as "dyke" or "poof" used in school.

Ninety Eight per cent of gay pupils hear "thats so gay" or "your so gay" at school.

Seventy Five per cent of young gay people in faith schools experience Homophobic Bullying and are less likely than pupils in other schools to report it.

Half of teachers fail to respond to Homophobic language when they hear it.

Four in Five young gay people have no access in school to resources that can help them.

Three in Five (58 per cent) of gay pupils never tell anyone if they are experiencing Homophobic Bullying. 62 per cent of girls and 56 per cent of boys do not tell anyone.

Over a Third of all Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual young people do not feel safe at school.

Over a Third of young Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual pupils do not like going to school. Pupils who have experienced Homophobic Bullying arr 44 per cent more likely to feel this, compared to those who have not been bullied.

Thirty Five per cent of young Gay people disagree that their school is an accepting, tolerant place where they feel welcome. This rises to 40 per cent among those who have experienced Homophobic Bullying and nearly half, 47 per cent, of those who attend faith schools.

Seven in Ten pupils have never been taught about Lesbian and Gay people or seen Lesbian and Gay issues addressed in class.

Lesbian & Gay pupils who have been taught about gay issues are 13 per cent less likely to experience Homophobic Bullying.

Half of young Lesbian and Gay people feel that it is hard for people like them to be accepted at school, and half feel to be themselfs. Over a Third are unhappy at school. of those who have been bullied, 44 per cent are unhappy.

Type of bullying Percentage of young Gay

& Lesbian people

verbal abuse 92%

Malicious Gossip 76%

Intimidating looks 62%

Ignored and isolated 58%

Cyberbullying 41%

Physical abuse 41%

Vandalism & theft of propety 30%

Death threats 17%

Threatend with a wepon 13%

Sexual assault 12%

(Stonewall School Report)

Suicide: young gay and bisexual guys are 7 times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers and young lesbian and bisexual woman are eight times more likely to have tried.

Bullying: 65% of young lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience homophobic bullying in school.

Mental Health: people who are gay, lesbian and bisexual have higher rates of anxiety depression then the general population. Young lesbian and bisexual woman are 10 times more likely to self harm compared to other teenagers.

Gay young people are more likely to experience drug and alcohol addiction due to discrimination.

sexual orientation is just one component of a persons identity.

Sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime.

Sexual behaviour does not necessarily equate to sexual orientation.

The experience of gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents is often one isolation fear of stigmatisation and lack of peer of familial support.

The need for gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents to "come out" (disclose there sexual orientation to others) is the expression of a normal tendency to want to share personal information about oneself with important others. This process is often difficult for gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents, because there is a strong and well founded fear of being rejected by others.

Facts & myths

Myth: All lesbians are "masculine" and all gay men are "effeminate"

Fact: While some lesbians appear masculine and some gay men effeminate, lesbian and gay appearances are as varied as straight appearances, often representing fashion or interests.

Myth: Gay men are predominately white males.

Fact: The homosexual community is completely diverse, consisting of maes and females from all ethnic origins. Homosexuality exists worldwide.(Space Youth Group)